Radiographic plate changer



A. IVIUTSCHELLER AND K. STOYE.

' RADIOGRAPHIC PLATE CHANGER. APPLlcAloN'mx-:D FEB,15.1919.

Patented Aug. 229 w22..

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A. IVIUTSCHELLER AND K'. STOYE.

RADIOGRAPHIC PLATE CHANGER APPLICATION FILED FEB, I5. 1919.

Patented Aug'. 22, NZXT AIIAQQWQ A. MUTSCLELLER AND K. STOYE.

RADIOGAPHIC PLATE CHANGER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB,|5.1919.

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RADIOGRAPHIC PLATE CHANGER.

APPLICATION man FEB.I5.1919.

` Patented Aug.

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NETE@ ARTHUR IE'UTSCHELLER AND KRT STOYE, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO WA'PLER ELECTRIC COMEANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

RADIOGRAPHIC :PLATE GHN'GER.

T 0 lf/ZZ whom t may concern."

Be it known that we, ARTHUR MUTSCHEL- LER and KURT STOYE, both citizens of the United States, residing at New York city,

.county of New York, and State of New plate changers and admits of generall use in i -making connection with X-ray photography, and to i some extent withluoroscopy. It is especially adapted, however, for use in making stereoscopic X-ray plates. i

More particularly stated, our invention comprehends a tray-holder carrying a pair of movable traysl each adapted to carry a photographic plate, the tray holder having its various parts so arranged and co-related that the device as a whole has a wide range of adaptability and may be used in various relations, as follows:

- l'. In connection with a table embodying a iuoroscope and vwhich can be tilted to different degrees of inclination.

2. Inconjunction with an upright stand` used for making stereoscopic plates.

3. As an attachment or self-contained unit,. adapted to betemporarily mounted upon any suitable fluoroscopic mechanism as convenience may suggest.

Among the various vobjects we seek to accomplish by our invention are the following:

I. To counterbalance the two trays each against the-other, so that when our device is inclined or tilted toany desiredextent the trays can be shifted-quickly andwith uniform motion, without the necessity for using a shock a-bsorber'or` for changing the adjustment of the spring mechanism used z certain portions being broken away.

in connection with the trays.

II. To render our device as a whole adjustable bodily in relation tothe table or other radiographic device upon `which it is ordinarily to be\` mounted.

III. To facilitate shifting the plates when stereoscopic X-ray exposures through the top of a table,- whether such top to be horizontal, vertical or inclined.

Specification of Letters Patent. 'Pgatmtd Amigo 229 1922,

'Application filed `February 15, 1919. Serial No. 277,213.

IV. To provide for releasing the connections from one tray to the other so that one tray may occupy a position directly over the other to enlarge the space available as a i fluorescent field.

V. To so mount the trays and parts associated therewith that each of the plates carried by the trays, when in position for exposure, is supported at a minimum distance from a patient resting upon the device.

VI. To guide the trays wh'en shifted into exact predetermined positions so that one plate will occupy the `precise position previously occupied' by the other.

VII.'To enable the operator to readily shift the photographic plate so as to Abring the center thereof into vertical alignment with any predetermined point upon the table top or analogous member and thus to effect an ideal adjustment of thefplate relatively to the position of a patient resting thereupon.

VIII. 'To facilitate the removal and replacement`of the plates, by passing them through the edge of the device, in instances where this is preferably to passing them in land out at the end-portion ofthe mechanism.

IX. To render the changing of the plates automatic to the extent that under suitable conditions' the operator Acan cause the plates i Figure 2 isa fragmentary plan of the 'mechanism shown in Figure 1.

vFigure 3 is a section on the line 3-3- of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated byl the arrows.

Figure 4 is a section'on the lined- 4 of @ligure 2, 100k11g in the, direction indicated'A f by' the arrows. Y

I with -stereoscopic X-ray plates.

and fluoroscopyhangers 18 extending downwardly from it.

movable parts occupying positions different from those they occupy therein.

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 5, looking in thedirection indicated by the arrows. p.

Figure ,8 is a vfragmentary central vertical section through the right-hand portion of the table according to Figure 2, but showing certain movable parts. as occupying positions different from. those they occupy in Vsaid last mentioned figure.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective'y showinga detail of the device for disconnecting the trays from control'bythemovable cable.

Figure 10 is a perspective of our device as used without a table, or independently thereof.

Figure 11 is a perspective of a form of our device as applied to an upright stand used A number of posts 12, 13 are connected together by brace rods 14 and constitute a framework. The posts 13 are provided with bearings 15 and extending through -these bearings arev trunnions 16 which supporta table 17, so that the latter is adapted tov be tilted relatively to the framework upon which is thus supported. The table 17 is an X-ray table, that is, it is suitable for use in .connection with X-ray photography The table 17 carries and secured to these' hangers are a pair of guide bars 19. A Amovable truck 2O is supported by the guide bars 19, and for this' purpose is providedwith wheels 21 engaging said guide bars. lAssociated with/the truck 20 are guide pulleys 22 and a cable 23, this cable passing over theguide pulleys and *being used bythe operator for shifting the position ofthe truck 20. A tube casing 24, having the form of a lead-lined box, is `secured to the truck 20 and carried thereby,

being thus movable at'the will of the` operator.

This tube casing-may be of the vusual or any desired construction suitable for containing an X-ray tube. It is provided with a flared portion 25 through which the'X- rays are emitted upwa-rdly,.as is customary this art. The tube casing 24, carries insulators'26, and terminals27 for making electrical connections in order to ex'cite thev X-rayv tube. Mountedrigidly upon the table 17 and. movable therewithis sector 28. Disposed adjacent thissector and adapted to detachably engage the same is a pawl 23 which is connected with a foot lever 30 and in connection therewith is instrumental inY support.

positions, thus causing the table 17 to be lockedA in corresponding angular positions after being first tilted into said positions by the operator.

The table 17 is provided with a slot 31. -This slot is. used for facilitating the loading of the photographic plates as hereinafter described and may be placed in any convenient position, upon either side or at the end of .the table. In the particular instance here shown, it is located upon the same side as the foot lever 30 being thus readily accessible.

The table 17 is covered with a slab 32 or board which is transparent to yX-rays. It is also provided with a plate 33 of material opaque-to X-rays. This plate is ordinarily made of lead. It is held in position by clamps 34, or is otherwise arranged in the usual or any desired manner. y

The plate changer carries a pair of rail bars 35, 36 as shown more particularly in Fig. 2. These rail bars "are held together by a cross bar 38. The rail bars 35, 36 are provided with necks 39, and adjacent these necks are knobs-40 provided with necks 41, each neck 41 carrying a screw 42 which extendsvthrough a slot 43. There are four of these slots. The operator by turning the knobs 40 and slight-ly rotating the screws 42 loosen's the knobs; he can then move the bars 35, 36bodily in a direction lengthwise of the table, to an extent permitted bythe length of the slots 43. Thus the rail vbars 35, 36 and parts carried thereby are as a whole adjustablerel'atively to the length of the table. Two trays 44, 45 are provided.V Thetray 44 has an overhanging Harige 46, andthe tray 45 has a similar overhanging flange 47.

`The tray 44 has four arms 48, two of these arms being provided with fingers 48 mounted rigidly upon them a-nd used as herein- E an operating arm 53 the latter being mounted to swing upon a pin 54, this pin being supported in a bearing 55 carried by the rail bar 36. Connected to the operating arm'53 is a handle-56 to be grasped by the operator and moved angularly in' relation to the pin 54 as a center, thus causing the operating arm 53 to swing upon its pivotal point of he handle 56 carries an eye 57. hook 58 is mounted upon one side` ofthe rail bar 36 and is adapted to engage the-eye 57, as 130 x this cable 'is controllable shown in Figure 2, for the purpose of holding the'handle 56 and the operating arm 53 each in the position here vindicatedf The spring 59 is connected with the arm 53 and lalso with the cross bar 38. This spring is normally under tension and is adapted yto draw the tray 44 to the right, according to Figure 2, the other parts being shifted in position accordingly. The tray 44 carries a downwardly extending lug 60 of the forni shown more particularly4 inv Figures 3 and 9. This lug at its lower end carries a spring clasp 61 forthe purpose of detachably holding the loclringbar 62 of the form shown in Figure 9. This locking bar is provided with heads 68,-and secured to these vheads are vthe ends of a cable 64. This cable passes around and engages a pair of guide pulleys 65, 66, and the ends of thecable are secured to eyes 67, 68 carried by the tray 45. Thus the tray 45 is controllable bythe cable 64, and by the `tray 44 which is in turn controllable by the` operating arm 53. rlhe operator by grasping the handle 56 and `actuating the operating arm can shift the tray 44 to the right or left according to Figure 2, and the movement of this tray 44 causes the movement of the cable 64 and this causes the movement of the tray l45. When, therefore, the handle 56 is swung to the left according to Figure 2, the, tray 44 has a tendency to move to the right, and the tray 45 has a tendency to move to the lleft. When, however, the handle 56 is swung in the reversedirection, the trays 44 and 45 are each caused to move in a direction contrary to the one just mentioned.

It is desirable that eachtray 44, 45 shall,

, .when in actual use, be disposed as closely as possible to the top of the table. 1n accomplishing this purpose. however, it is essential that the trays 44 and 45 shall not come into engagement with eachv other, and that neither shall get into the way of the other. On this account, we make provision whereby the tray 44 can -pass belowu the tray 45` this movement being e'ected, however, at a time when the plates are not for the moment in actual use forA purposes of exposure of the photographic plate to the X-rays. The rail bar 35 is provided with a slot 69 extending for nearly the entire length of the rail bar, and with two shorter slots 70 and 7l, arranged as indicated in Figures 5, 6 and 8. This rail bar is further provided with an inclined surface 74, extending from the bottom of the slot 69 toI the bottom of the slot 71, as shown in the Figures just mentioned. Similarly, an inclined surface extends from the bottom of-the slot 7 Oto an adjacent portion of the slot 69. The rail bar 35 is also provided with webs 72, 73 which form boundaries for theslots and are so arranged that 'the slot 69 merges into the slot 71, whereas the slot 70 does not' merge into the slot 69. Disposed adjacent the inclined surface'74 is a gate 75 vhaving generally the form of a pawl and provided with a notch 76. A spring 77 is mounted upon a bolt 78 and is provided with an end portion fitting into the notch 76 as may be understood from Figure 7. The spring '77 by its tension normally forces the gate 75 downwardly so that the gate occupies the position indicated in Figure 6. The gate may be raised, however, by pressure applied beneath it.

The rail bar 86 is of approximately the same construction as the rail bar 35, the difference between these rail bars being that they are mated together as a pa.ir,-'-that is, right and left members. The rail bar 36 is provided with a lengthy slot 79 and with shorter slots, 80, 81, these three slots corresponding yto the slots 69, 70, 71 above described. The rail bar 36 is also provided with webs 82 and 83, and with inclined surfaces 84, and 8Oa (see Figure 3), these parts corresponding tothe webs 72 and 73, and the inclined surfaces 74 above described. The rail bar 36 is also provided with a gate 85 corresponding to the gate 75. y

With the parts arranged as indicated in Figures 2 and 3, the trays 44 and 45 are in the same horizontal plane, the tray 44 being disposed adjacent the slot 31. lith the parts in the positions here contemplated an X-ray pl-te or a cassette charged with a plate and an intensifying screen, can readily be inserted through the slot 31 and thus tected by the covering` 83 of lead from exposure. The lid covering 38 is located toward one end of the frame 17 and has an area equal to about one half the area of the top of the table. This lead covering 38 is displaced, relatively to the supporting member `transparent to the X-rays, so as to avoid overlapping the sa1ne.

Suppose now that the plate resting upon the tray 44 has been exposed and thatpthe operator wishes to shift the tray 44 and its plate out of the way and to bring into use the tray 45 and the plate resting upon it. He simply liftsA the hook 58 away from the eye 57. whereupon the spring 59 contracts and b v so doing shifts the trays into their.

second positions; that is, the tray 44 is carried to the right and the tray 45 is moved to the left according to Figure 2. If desired. thel hook 58 may be actuated from a distance. by anvsuitable mechanical expedient suitable for the purpose.

Thus the plate carried by the tray 45 is brought into position for exposure to the X-rays. The plate carried by the tray 45 vmay now be moved through the slot 31, or

tive gates and raise them, so/as to hold them open. If now the operator releases the hanm dle 56 so that the spring 59 comes into play `ures. Hence the two rollers 49 adjacent the 'inclined surfaces 74 and 84, travel down these and the handle 56 swings to the left according to Figures 2 and 3, the tray 44 tends to move to the right according to these figsurfaces, land'by so doingcause the gates 75 and 85 to be lowered; At the same instant the other two rollers 49, for the mo- .ment adjacent the corresponding inclined surfaces, travel .down the same. Thus all -'four of the'rollers 49 glide gently downward,

sogthat the tray 44A as a whole is lowered gently as itstarts moving to the right. rlhe rollers 49 now enter thevrespective slots'80,

81, and the tray 44, moving upon a lower level than itoccupied at rst, moves to the ,'62 (see Fi right.` At-the instant this occurs, the tray 45 without changing its level moves lstraight to the left and passes over the tray 44. The result is that the tray 44 is lodged at the right and the tray 45 at the left, accordingdo Figure 3, and ktray 45, however, occupymg a level a little higher than that of the tray 44. The handle 56 being swung backwardly or into itsl normal position shown in Figure 2, the parts are, of course, restored to their respective normal positions, as shown in these figures.

In some instances, it is desirable that the trays 44 and 45 be disconnected from each other.- In other words, it is desirable that the, cable 64 be disconnected from the clasp re 3) so that the movement of one tray wlll not disturb the other. -This is essential where the .table is for the time being to be used in fluoroscopy, rather than photography. As shown in Figure 8, the tray 44 may be moved back under the-tray 45. This is'because after the tray 45 is lowered in position, the clasp 61 is disconnected from the locking bar 62.

Afterthe use' of ther device as thus described, the parts are again rendered serviceable for photography by meredy slipping,

the locking bar 62 into the clasp 61, the

tray 44 being moved by hand for this purpose.

Tn the construction shown in `Figure 10, the rail bars 35a, 36, having nearly the same form as the rail bars 35, 36 above described, are provided as the basis for the frame shown. This frame is not necessarily used with a table of the type shown in Fig-ure 1, but may be employed independently thereof, as, for instance, for taking X-ray photographs of some part of a person lying in bed or sitting in a chair. The tray 44 1s provided with a slot 51L through .which extends a pin 52"L controllable byan `arm 53a and handle 56a, these parts having the same function as'above described withv The lead plate is here show'n at- 33h, the` clamps for holding the same at.`

34D, the rail bars at 35h, 36b,'and,a setl of knobs at 40". The vframe is provided. with slots 43b.1 The trays appear at 44C, -A

45e, andA the zarms of the trayl 44c are shown at 48.. Pins 86 are provided for supporting the framel 17a at the lower end thereof. The upper ends of the rail bars 35"36b areprovided with lugs 87, and connected with these vlugs are cables 88'.

which pass over guide pulleys 89 and are secured to amovable weight 90. This weight serves as a counterbalancefor rail` bars p35", 36D, and facilitates the adjustment or other handling thereof. -The knobs 401 are for' the purpose of tightening and loosening the rail bars 35", 36b relatively to the frame 17a. The frame 17a and its prop17"` are provided with ground lugs or feet 91 which may rest upon the ground or upon a Hoor or table as desired. Except as otherwise indicated the mechanism shown in Figure 1l isidentical with that shown in Figures l and 2.

, We do not limit ourselves to the precise construction shown, as variations maybe made therein without departing from the spirit of our invention.-

We claim:

1. 1n a device .of the character described. a self-contained'unit comprising a frame, a plurality of photographic trays carried by said frame and movable relatively to each other, and mechanism connected with said trays and controllable at the willof the operator for guiding each of said trays in h succession into a single predetermined exact position. y

. 2. 1n a device of the character described, a self-'contained unit comprising a frame, a plurality of trays carried by said frame'and -movable relatively to each other, mean/sl controllable at'the will of the operator for shifting said traysI into predetermined rela tive positions, mechanism connected with 1,426,899 f l @l said trays for automatically retracting them into other positions, and means controllable 'at the will of the operator for temporarily holding. said trays in said liist mentioned relative positions, and for releasing said trays. A

3. In a device of the character described, thecombination, with a source of X-rays,

of a selffcontained unit comprising a frame, y

a photographic tray carried by said frame and mounted to move back and forth relatively theretoin a straight path, a second vphotographic tray, means for guiding said.

second .tray into and out of said path and mechanism connected with both df said trays for shifting them in opposite directions.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a source of X-rays, of a self-contained unit comprising a frame and a, plurality-of trays carried by said .frame and movable relatively thereto, oneY of said trays being so mounted as to have a straight path of travel, the other of said trays being movable into and'out of said straight path of travel, and means 'for actuating said trays. l

' 5. The combination, with a tube casing, :L supporting member transparentto X-rays `anda screening member opaque to X-rays, -of a self-contained plate supporter carry ing aplurality of trays and also carrying means for lmoving sai trays'one at a time out ofproximity to said screening member and into'proximlty to said supporting mem ber transparent to X-rays, and means for moving said trays -:in opposite directionsv with, respect lto each other. v l 1 6. Ina device of the character described,

the combination` with a table member to be tilted and a tube asingconnected with said ytable member so as to be tilted therewith` of a framecarried by said table, a pair of' trays v*mounted upon said frame and m'ovable in opposite directions withI respect to each other, and mechanism connected with said traysand controllable at the will of the operator for moving said trays in opposite directions.

frame and movable relatively thereto in op? posite directions, andmechanism controllai `ble byl movements'of one of said trays for preventing said trays from interfering with each other. l

' y8. a device of the character described, the combination with a table tonbetilted vand a tube casing connected with said table l.so as to be tilted therewith, of a framel carried by said "table, Ia pair of trays mounted upon said frame and movable relatively thereto inopposite directions, and guiding mechanism for bringing one of said trays .edge to edge with the other of said trays and for shifting said trays 'in opposite directions so as to prevent interference `of the trays with each other.

i 9. In a device of ,the character described, the combination of a frame, a tube casing, connectedwith said frame and adjustable relatively thereto, said frame being provided With a pair of rail bars having slots, a pair of trays for supporting photographic plates, supporting members carried by said trays and extending into said slots for enabling said trays to be supported, a flexible connection from one of said `trays to the other for the purpose of moving said trays,

and a pulley engaging said flexible connection in such manner as to enable said trays to counterbalance each other.

l0. In a device of the character described, the combination with a table to be tilted and a tube casing connected with said table so as to be tilted therewith, of a frame carried by said table, a pair of trays mounted upon said frame and movable relatively thereto in a direction substantially parallel -with the length of said table, mechanism connected with said trays and controllable at the will of the operator forv moving said trays in substantially opposite directions, and guiding mechanism for controlling the directionfoi' travel of one of said trays so as to cause it to miss the other of Said trays.

11. In a device ofthe character described, the combination with atable to be tilted ico and a tube casing connected with said table so as -to'be tilted therewith, of a pair of trays movable relatively to said table,means for bringing one of said trays into a predetermined position relatively to sai/d table and-for shiftinglsaid tray out of this posin tion `and shifting the other of said trays`V into said position, and guiding means for causing y said first-mentioned,v tray lto miss saidsecond-mentioned tray in order to avoid collision therewith.

l12.- In a device of the character described, the combination with a. table to be tilted and ajtube casing connected 4with said table so as to be .tilted therewith, of a frame car.- ried by said table, means'for adjusting said frame bodilyin relation to said table va plurality oli' trays .for holding photogrr'p ic plates, said -trays ybeing movable in opposite directions'withrespect to ,each other, andu 'mechanism` controllable at the will of the operator for presenting said trays in succession ea'ch to a predetermined part of said table for the purpose of eroosing said trays ,insuccession yto the action 'xt X-rays. '413. In a deyice of the character described, the. combination of a frame provided with.A

slots disposed parallel with each other,

trays provided with supporting members extending into saidslots so as to support said trays, mechanism connected with said trays for moving the same, and mechanism controllable by movements of one of saidl trays for preventing collision between said trays.

14. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a table to be tilted and a tube casing connected with said table so as to be-tilted therewith, of' a frame car`v ried byy said table, means for adjusting said frame relatively to said table and 'enabling the operatorto clamp said frame into 'the position in which it is thus adjusted, a pair of trays mounted upon said frame and movable relatively thereto, said trays being mov- 15. In a device of the characterdescribed,

the combination with a table to be tilted and a tube casing connected with said table so as to be tilted therewith, of a frame carried by said'table, a pair of trays mounted upon said frame andy movable relatively thereto, mechanism Iconnected with vsaid trays and controllable-at the will of the operator-for moving said trays in opposite directions, and'fmeans controllable at the will of the operator foi-.disconnecting one of said trays in 'order that itmay be moved aside for the time being'.

' 16. ln a device oil the character described, the combination of a frame, an X-ray tube `.casing connected with said frame and mov-v able relatively thereto, ya plurality of plate carriers supported-by said frame andl mov? able relatively to said tube casing'and to 'each other, the` mechanism connected with said plate carriers and. lcontrollable at the will4 of the operator forxthe purpose of guiding veach lofsad trays in. succession into a single pre etermined exact position relative 17.1na device offth'e character. described; f-

the combination olf-fla framefan `Xraytube casing-connected with said `frame and mov-A 'ableintodierent positions relatively tl'iere-` to at the will of the operator, a plurality 'of plate holders supported by said ilram'e `and 'i upon sai Asaid slijgaporti'ng member.

movable relatively thereto atthe willof theble` tensile member extending from one of said plate holders toanother for the purpose for enabling movements of one plate holder to shift the position of another plate holder.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame, an X-ray tube casing supported by said frame and movable into diierent positions relative thereto at the will of the operator, a plurality of plate carriers supported by said frame and .so mounted as to be each movable in succession into a single predetermined exact position relative to said X-ray tube casing, and a flexible tensile member extending from one of said plate carriers to another for enabling one ofsaidplate carriers to be actuated by the. movements of another, plate carrier.

19. In a device ofthe character described, the combination of a frame, an X-ray tube casing supported by said frame and movable into different positions relatively thereto at the will of the operator, a plurality of plate carriers supported by said'frame and movable into different positions relatively thereto, said plate carriers being each so mounted as to be each movable in 'successioni into a predetermined exact position 'at a predetermined distance from said vtube casing, means controllable at the will of the operator for shifting the'position o'oneof 'said plate carriers, and a `iexible tensile member ex-v tending from one of saidlplate carriers to' another.

` 20. The combination, of' avtube casing,

a supporting member transparent to X-rays, ya screening member opad1 displaced relatively t'o sai supporting member' 1so as to avoid overlapping thesame, a

'frame,"a lurality of plate carriers mounted dj trame and movable relatively to said screening vmember and to said support- -saidplate carriers-"and controllable at the will of the 'operator for shifting said plate carriersin opposite directions relatively to each other, in order to move -said plate carscreening member and into proximity to nari-run MU'rsci-iELLnn.' 'nner sfrorn. f

eA to X-rays. and

'ing member, and mechanism connected with f 'riersjoneat-'a ltime out ofv proximity .to said 

